Last year Topps introduced Gypsy Queen which is based on the
1887 N174 release. There were some
problems with the pack out, but that didn’t overshadow how well the cards were
received. Many set collectors were
looking forward to 2012 Topps Gypsy Queen Baseball Cards and now they are
here. These cards still look
great. There is so much to like here.
Some find the set and its short print and photo variations
confusing, as they are not the same configurations for the base and mini
set. I posted a detailed explanation of the base set and the mini set structures and variations with
complete visuals to help collectors understand this year’s release because I
like what Topps has done here.
I feel they have created multiple levels of commitment for set
builders. You can go for
just the base set, or the base set with photo variations or any number of
combinations up to a master set.
Having that kind of variety brings this in line with some of the best
building sets out there.
Gypsy Queen falls under our classification of trading
cards. You can find it in retails
and hobby form with Hobby Boxes containing 24 – 10 card packs with a box topper
of 10 minis and 2 relic and 2 autograph cards.
Here are some of the cards we pulled from our hobby box.
Base Set
Derek Jeter, front and back
Ken Griffey Jr., Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays
Cal Ripken Jr., David Wright, Ichiro
Ernie Banks, Johnny Bench, Bob Gibson
Dustin Pedroia, Eric Hosmer, Mike Trout
Base Set Photo Variations - Link to the Complete Visual Checklist
Carlos Gonzalez. David Freese, Mariano Rivera
Mike Moore, Mike Schmidt, Ryan Braun
Paper Framed - #/599
Moonshots
Curtis Granderson, Albert Belle
Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Mike Schmidt
Jose Bautista, Mike Stanton, Josh Hamilton
Sliding Stars
Curtis Granderson, Derek Jeter
Elvis Andrus, Ian Kinsler
Jacoby Ellsbury, Jimmy Rollins
Jose Reyes, Starlin Castro
Glove Stories
Ben Revere, Dewayne Wise
Jeff Francoeur, Josh Hamilton
Mini Set Photo Variations - Link to the Complete Visual Checklist
Buster Posey, David Ortiz
Joe Mauer, Justin Upton
Ryan Howard, Matt Kemp, Victor Martinez
Gypsy Queen Backs
Mickey Mantle, front and back
Scott Rolen, Troy Tulowitzki, Stephen Drew
Straight Cut
Mike Trout, front and back
Edwin Jackson, Adam Lind, Brian McCann
High Number SPs
Heath Bell, Gary Carter
Insert Mini Parallels
Starlin Castro Sliding Stars
Ralph Kiner Moonshots, Jeff Francoeur Glove Stories
SP Parallels
Troy Tulowitzki Sepia #/99, Dellin Betances Green Border
Prince Fielder Black Border, Russell Martin Black Border
The Hits
Matt Cain Relic, Prince Fielder Mini Framed Relic
Gaby Sanchez On-Card Auto, Johnny Cueto On-Card Auto
Overall Look
The overall look of these cards is very appealing. The absence of stats on the back is
normally an issue for me, but feels appropriate for this release. The autographs are some of the most attractive
out there and anything framed in this set works well.
Quality and Variety of Players and Subsets.
Once again this a great mixture of the past and the present
with the big names of yesterday, today and the future all represented very
well.
Do the hits hold up?
On Card autos that are look fantastic with a shot at some
big names. Gypsy Kings relic
and autograph cards are fun if you follow the employees of Topps.
Will you want to collect them all?
Absolutely.
This is a fun set to build and offers collectors a variety of options to
sink their teeth into.
Rating
5 out of 5
2012 Topps Gypsy Queen Baseball should be high on set
builders lists.
Review box provided by Topps
Review box provided by Topps